Maj. Cherry Craddock of the Salvation Army in Shelby keeps a handmade Christmas card in her files. Written in Spanish and English, the card includes a wish for a “blessed day of God.”

Decorated with a snowman, the light blue card is from a family who received Christmas gifts last year.

“It’s little notes like that or a hug that make the whole process worthwhile,” said Craddock, who with her husband, David, has seen 35 Christmases with the Salvation Army.

“They touch you and you know you are doing the right thing. We work hours and hours every day until Christmas Eve.”

Cherry said that at Christmas time it’s usually her job to find the families in need.

“I spend the money, and he finds a way to pay for it,” she said.

And the Craddocks are counting on the giving spirit of Cleveland County people to make sure 450 children receive gifts this year.

Money donated to The Star’s Empty Stocking Fund will buy a bicycle or other toy for a child and a turkey or ham for Christmas dinner.

Last year, the goal of $20,000 was met before Christmas and the final total of $32,150 exceeded the goal by more than 150 percent. All of that was accomplished with a depressed economy and an unemployment rate of 11.4 percent.

We met the goal through your generosity and sacrifice. Because we’ve witnessed your caring spirit and willingness to help others, we’ve set the goal at $35,000 this year.

It sounds challenging, but we believe we will get there by working together – with everyone giving what they can from $1 to $1,000.

Making a donation is easy. Fill out the form in today’s paper, attach your donation and mail it — or starting Monday, bring your donation and form by The Star office, 315 E. Graham St., Shelby.

You can choose to make the donation in honor or in memory of someone, or you can choose to be anonymous.